"And being complimented on his new work. The sculptor said, very well for the present, but don’t for a moment suppose I am going to give up clay, Marble or Bronze to ‘Burn Wood!

But the singular fact about these Pokerisms is. That he got pleased with producing such pictures as Falstaff and his followers (from Gilbert’s picture). It is burnt on a piece of wood 18 ½ inches wide, by 12 ½ high, and contains fifteen figures.

Then the Trumpeter standing beside his horse this is larger than the other! Also a Monk a wonderfully fine picture Rubens in his study! Choosing the wedding dress (from Goodall) all these are marvellous [sic] productions, and I think it gave him pleasure to produce them, and himself really wonder’d at this new power which had come to him, and enabled him to do anything he attempted.

Mrs. Hughes would often fix the price on these Pokerisms, and they were always sold, as soon as finished, and usually bespoken and letters would come from other cities asking if there were any for sale.

B. F. Brown who in 1852 married Mr. Hughes youngest daughter – has some of the finest Mr. Hughes ever burned. Falstaff and followers_ The Monk a wonderfully fine Pokerism_ the three witches of Macbeth from Fuseli’s picture_ The choosing the wedding drefs [dress] from Goodall’s and several smaller ones.

Mr. Hughes frequently burnt a picture in one forenoon. But some were very elaborate and took a couple of days."

"Mr. Hughes manifested his artistic nature in more ways than one. He excelled, among other things, in executing what are known as "poker sketches." These are pictures made on whitewood, the only tools used being pieces of iron, which were heated to a white heat. Every touch of the hot iron leaves a mark which cannot be effaced, and the work is so trying to the nerves that only a short time each day can be devoted to it. The effects of color can only be appreciated when seen. It seems incredible that such artistic results could have been produced in this way. Among the works of this kind, many of which are now in the possession of Mr. Hughes' son-in-law, Mr. Benjamin F. Brown, may be mentioned "The Trumpeter," "The Monk," "Falstaff Examining his Recruits," — embracing a dozen or more figures, —"Rembrandt," "Don Quixote," "Shakespeare," "Rubens," and "The Scotch Terrier.""

Many subjects of Ball Hughes poker sketches were literary characters. See also the Introduction to Shakespeare Illustrated, by Emory University, for information about the relationship between painters and poets.